Dominik Schleicher

Computational Astrophysics Group

Contact: dschleicher (at) astro-udec.cl



Research interests

Formation of supermassive black holes via direct collapse

We explore the formation of supermassive black holes via the direct collapse scenario, which assumes that a large fraction of a massive gas cloud collapses into one single object. Our goal is to quantify the conditions when this is feasible, considering the possibility of fragmentation and subsequent mergers.

Formation of supermassive black holes via collisions

We explore the formation of supermassive black holes via collisions in dense metal-poor stars clusters and nuclear star clusters, including the effects of mass loss due to winds or during collisions. This includes formation mechanisms via black hole clusters embedded in external potentials.

Formation of supermassive black holes in new hybrid scenarios

Our group has developed new hybrid scenarios for the origin of supermassive black holes, considering the interaction of collisions and accretion. We have shown that the number of collisions is enhanced in the presence of gas accretion, potentially leading to the formation of very massive objects.

Accretion and growth of supermassive black holes

Our group explores the accretion and growth of supermassive black holes, both in a cosmological context, but also for nearby low-luminosity AGN to study their potential appearance with the Event Horizon Telescope.

Stellar magnetism

We study the origin of stellar magnetism, including dynamo mechanisms in solar mass stars, M-dwarfs and A-type stars using 3D magneto-hydrodynamical simulations. We are also involved in the analysis of TESS data to derive rotation periods.

Magnetism in stellar binaries

We explore the origin of magnetism and long cycles in Double Periodic Variables (DPVs) and Post-Common-Envelope Binaries. Our group has pursued the first numerical simulations that quantify the changes of the stellar structure and resulting eclipsing time variations due to magnetism.

Group Members

Prof. Dr. Dominik Schleicher

Group Leader

Dr. B. Bandyopadhyay

Postdoc

Dr. R. Riaz

Postdoc

Dr. G.-Y. Zhang

Postdoc

F. Agurto

Master Student

M. Cortez

Master Student

B. Gaete

Master Student

J. Lagunas

Master Student

C. Ortiz

Master Student

J. Pedreros

Master Student

K. Sehlke

Master Student

J. Soto

Master Student

P. Solar

Master Student

C. Villegas

Undergraduate Student


Former group members

  • Patricio Alister, now PhD student at the University of Heidelberg
  • Dr. Tjarda Boekholt, now postdoc at the University of Oxford
  • Claudio Bravo, now in private sector
  • Prof. Dr. Stefano Bovino, now associate professor at the University of Concepcion
  • Dr. Pedro Capelo, now postdoc at the University of Zurich
  • Vanesa Diaz, now PhD student at the University of Hamburg
  • Patricio Fibla, now in private sector
  • Dr. Philipp Grete, now Marie-Curie fellow at Hamburg Observatory
  • Prof. Dr. Muhammad Latif, now professor at UAE University
  • Felipe Navarrete, now PhD student at Hamburg Observatory
  • Dr. Tim Lichtenberg, now postdoc at the University of Oxford
  • Prof. Dr. Remudin Mekuria, now assistant professor at Addis Ababa University
  • Camila Olave, now in private sector
  • Dr. Kai Rodenbeck, now postdoc at the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Science
  • Ruben San Martin, now in private sector
  • Joaquin Zamponi, now PhD student at MPE Garching

The former cosmology group in Goettingen

Third-party funding



Organization of conferences and schools